They turned again to see a big furniture van drive in through the open gates. As they started to run towards it the back opened and six or seven policemen jumped out, followed by a well-known figure in a plus-four suit.

"It's Mr Cantor," Peter shouted as she began to run towards him. "The twins were right and we're all saved now... Look, Penny. They've grabbed those men who ran across to open the gates. Hello, Mr Cantor! I bet you're surprised to see us."

Mr Cantor certainly was! He was so surprised that his mouth fell open before he was able to say anything.

"I s'pose you know that the boys are prisoners in this house?" she went on. "They're in a room right up under the roof, and they've just broken the window. Will you help us with a policeman, please?"

Before he could answer a familiar voice said plaintively, "I haven't heard any shooting, so I reckon we can come out now, Mr Cantor." And Dickie and Mary popped their heads over the back of the van!

13. Explanations

Just before four o'clock the following afternoon Alan Denton strode cheerfully into the big kitchen of Bury Fields.

"It's warmer," he said as he paused on the threshold. "Snow on the way, and I'm glad we'll see the back of that wind... My word, Mother, but that table's a grand sight. Can I start before those kids arrive?"

Mrs Denton smiled a welcome.

"I've done the best I can in the time, son, but I've forgotten how many you said would be coming. If there's not enough room for all, some must sit on the floor, but every plate and cup we've got in the place is out on that table. Now, Alan, tell me about these children again, for I get them a bit muddled in my mind."

"We all owe them a lot, you know, Mother. It's odd that I should have met two of them in the train on the way home the other day and that they should have all turned up here... They're a grand lot, you know," and he glanced out of the window.

"Look, here comes Peter over the hill now on that little nag of hers..."

Three minutes later Peter came in, her eyes bright and her cheeks flushed with the cold.

"I do hope I'm not too early," she said. "If I am, perhaps I could help a bit... The others are only about ten minutes behind, but I felt I wanted to come on Sally. And did Alan tell you Agnes is coming, too? Mr Cantor is bringing her in a car, but the others all said they'd rather walk..."

Rather shyly she slipped off her sheepskin coat.

"Can I help, please, Mrs Denton? Isn't it wonderful that they've caught those awful men, and now you won't be worried again about losing your sheep?"